Coca-Cola European Partners is the world’s largest independent Coca-Cola bottler. As part of its education programme, it offers students insight into the demands of a manufacturing business.
Kinlochleven High School’s involvement started with a visit to CCEP’s Education Centre in its East Kilbride production site. Students received a tailored presentation and a physical tour of the factory. It now takes part in CCEP’s Real Business Challenge (RBC) which gives 13-15 year olds the opportunity to work alongside CCEP employees on a live business challenge.
HR magazine spoke to the school and the company to find out how both sides make it work.
Jillian Clark, teacher at Kinlochleven High School
Why do you do it?
The kids learn so much. It’s amazing to see their transformation – particularly as the students who shine are often the ones you wouldn’t expect. For me the best thing, though, is the programme teaches things it’s hard to learn in the classroom – skills like decision-making and teamwork which will be essential when our students enter the world of work. Crucially, the programme also helps me to build stronger relationships with the children and see strengths that don’t always come across day-to-day.
How do you make it work?
CCEP provides us with the materials to make the programme work and then allows us to teach it in our own way. They ensure it works hand-in-hand with the curriculum. Joanne, the education centre manager at East Kilbride, is a former teacher so she really understands how to work with kids.
Bill Muirhead, senior education programme manager at Coca-Cola European Partners
Why do you do it?
It’s a challenging time for young people leaving education and looking to make a living. Youth unemployment is a huge issue and employers frequently report a lack of skills. What’s more, the EU expects a jobs gap of 900,000 in STEM areas by 2020.
As a manufacturing business, we’re in a good position to open our doors to young people. We want to provide a realistic and current view of what a career in the food and drink industry entails. The relevance of STEM to the world of work can be difficult to get across in the classroom. Of course, you can work in teams, problem-solve and present in the classroom. But when young people are challenged to do this in a less familiar, more business-like context, it adds real educational value.
How do you make it work?
- Be clear on the social need, business rationale and what success looks like.
- Garner support from the very top to the very bottom of your organisation and a senior leader who is a proactive advocate, i.e. someone who will devote time and energy to your programme.
- Work with teachers to really understand the challenges they face, where you can help and importantly when (the academic year can be awkward to plan around).
- If you’re working with schools and haven’t been to one for a while, visit and watch a lesson or two. This helps you to understand teachers’ worlds and the pressures they face.
- Understand what is already out there – there’s little point in branching out with your own great idea if you could make a greater impact by supporting an existing initiative or taking a more collaborative approach.
- Be realistic and take a long-term approach. It can take a while to make an impact and it’s not always easy to measure it.
